Alliance forges new links with Wigan

WIGAN Golf Club hosted a Manchester Alliance competition for the first time in their long history. Their impressive Arley Hall clubhouse backed by an excellent course was enjoyed by all players in another full and top quality field.

Alliance captain Dave Smith, the Swinton Park professional certainly had a day to remember with an outstanding double success.

He posted 10 birdies as he led in the individual scores with 43 points which took him clear of Phil Archer (Birchwood) 42 and Andy Palmer (Chorley) and Charlie Fletcher (Helsby),both 39.

The top assistant pro not in the main prizes was Jamie Howarth (Davenport with 38 points.

Smith found a great partner in the ever-reliable Jimmy O’Reilly (Swinton Park) who are pictured right and who helped him to a massive 50 points, the biggest in the Alliance for more than a year, leaving them four clear of Archer and his Leigh partner Mark Pasquill and Stamford Golf Club’s Mark Smith and the majestic Steve Moores.

Local knowledge saw home player Simon Stott and Peter Finch (Hindley Hall) top the am am section with 43 points, one more than Peter Hamlett (Ashton-on-Mersey) and Mike Lynch (Chorlton) and Wigan’s Reece Cranfield and Phil Dermott.

Another highlight on the day saw Leigh assistant professional Sean Blinkhorn secure his first ace.

It came when his perfect pitching wedge tee shot on the 154-yard 15th arrowed its way into the hole.